Women’s Soccer Has Four Named Preseason Players-to-Watch
GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its 2010 Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll on Tuesday, which had Defiance slated eighth in the rankings, and listed four Lady Jackets as Preseason Players-to-Watch.
GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its 2010 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll on Tuesday, which had Defiance slated eighth in the rankings, and listed four Lady Jackets as Preseason Players-to-Watch.
The eighth-place ranking is likely a product of some uncertainty surrounding the team, which has just three seniors on the roster and a first-year head coach in Alex Van der Sluijs. However, the team returns nine starters from last year's squad, and is optimistic that a talented class of freshmen could help get DC back into the HCAC Tournament.
Senior midfielder, Melissa Alston, was tabbed as an HCAC Preseason Player to Watch for the second-consecutive season, while Cheri Borkholder, Katie Heitkamp and Alexandra Johnson earned the distinction for the first time in their careers at Defiance.
Alston served as a team captain for the Lady Jackets last season, and tallied two goals and four points to go along with a team-high .688 shot-on-goal percentage. After three seasons, Alston has recorded six goals and two assists at Defiance.
Borkholder was an offensive force for the Jackets in 2009, using her break-away speed to register seven goals and one assist from her forward position. After sitting out her sophomore season due to injury, Borkholder broke back onto the scene in a big way, recording three goals against Finlandia before being selected as the DC Classic Team MVP.
Johnson was DC's third-leading scorer as a sophomore in 2009, despite taking just one shot per game from her midfield position. Johnson also tied for second on the team in assists, and was honored as a DC Classic All-Tournament selection after recording two assists in DC's match against Finlandia.
Katie Heitkamp was honored as an All-HCAC performer last season after establishing herself as one of the premier defenders in the conference. The St. Mary's, Ohio, native tallied one assist on the season, but really stood out as an exceptional defensive stopper for the Jackets who recorded three shutouts on the season.
The Lady Jackets are less than a month away from competition, with a home game against Greenville College scheduled for Friday, September 3, beginning at 1:00 p.m.